Baltimore County Honors Hometown Olympians With New Monuments Bearing Their Names
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- An Olympic event is scheduled for Towson.
Pat Warren reports Baltimore County is honoring its hometown Olympians with a ceremony slated to take place in an area dedicated to their achievements.
There's a tiny section of green space in Towson dedicated to monumental achievement: Olympian Park, formerly an abandoned gas station on Towson Circle. Baltimore County is home to several Olympians and Paralympians.
Olympian Michael Phelps and Paralympian Jessica Long are both from Baltimore County, as are Rebecca Myers and Ian Silverman.
"There might be something in the water here that really fosters that growth," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
"I was at the gym when they were showing [Phelps'] race and all the little kids were gathered around it and they were all screaming and cheering," said one Baltimore County resident.
"We've also found a couple of Olympians from decades back that we omitted and we're going to add them, as well," Kamenetz said.
"It's very nice -- a community asset," said one resident.
"All for green space in the middle of the city," said another.
"I think it's amazing," said another resident.
"I love it. I think it's just nice and outdoorsy," a resident said.
So do Bosely and Barbara Tawney, who have lived here for more than 50 years.
"Oh, it's wonderful and where I go to the Merritt, one of them did all her swimming there," Tawney said.
New names are being added.
"What we're trying to do is recognize our hometown heroes," Kamenetz said.
If there are any others of you out there who have received medals in the Olympics or Paralympics and have significant ties to Baltimore County, call-- there's room for your name here, too.
The new monument will be dedicated at a public ceremony in the next six to eight weeks.
